Florence Bay, Queensland

Florence Bay is a suburb of Magnetic Island in the City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.[3] In the 2021 census, Florence Bay had a population of 0 people.[4]

Florence Bay
Magnetic Island, Queensland
Florence Bay is located in Queensland
Florence Bay
Florence Bay
Coordinates19.1194°S 146.8719°E / -19.1194; 146.8719 (Florence Bay (centre of suburb))
Population0 (SAL 2016)[1][2]
Area3.5 km2 (1.4 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)City of Townsville
State electorate(s)Townsville
Federal division(s)Herbert
Suburbs around Florence Bay:
Coral Sea Coral Sea Coral Sea
Horseshoe Bay Florence Bay Coral Sea
Horseshoe Bay Arcadia Coral Sea

Geography

Florence Bay is on the north-east of Magnetic Island. Its rugged coastline creates a number of bays and headlands; the named features are:

The Forts is a mountain (19.1230°S 146.8705°E / -19.1230; 146.8705 (The Forts (mountain & command post))) which rises to 182 metres (597 ft) above sea level.[7]

Almost all of the locality, apart from a small area near the beach at Radical Bay, is within the Magnetic Island National Park.[8]

History
Remains of Gun Emplacement

Florence Bay was once the site of a private guesthouse reachable only by boat. One of these vessels, The 'Magnet' was carrying a picnic party from Florence Bay when it struck a reef on 25 March 1917 and was subsequently sunk.[9]

After the demise of the guesthouse (reputably due to cyclone damage - unable to verify this), the property passed into the care of the Scout Association and became the main youth training facility in North Queensland.

A group within the Scout Association was recognised for their work to develop the facilities - including a storehouse, pump and well, parade ground, camping area and secluded chapel - by being awarded the title "Florence Bay Rover Crew". It is notable that much of their work was done by hand, including carrying bricks, cement, timber and equipment on their backs from either the main road or Radical Bay moorings.

The chapel, set high on the hillside, is consecrated and contains the cremated remains of one of North Queensland's most notable early Scouting leaders, "Beaver" Masters.

On the headland at the south end of Florence Bay there remains the base of a World War II searchlight tower, along with a command and anti-aircraft installation at The Forts above the bay.[10]

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Florence Bay had a population of 0 people.[11]

In the 2021 census, Florence Bay had a population of 0 people.[4]

Attractions
View from Forts to Florence Bay

The Forts Walk is a walking track in the Magnetic Island National Park with a number of points of interests:[12]

Education

There are no schools in Florence Bay. The nearest primary school is in Nelly Bay on the island. The nearest secondary school is Townsville State High School in Railway Estate in the Townsville mainland.[8]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Florence Bay (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2016. 
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Florence Bay (Suburb and Locality)". Australian Census 2016 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  3. "Florence Bay – suburb in City of Townsville (entry 44593)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  4. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Florence Bay (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  5. "Bays - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  6. "White Lady Rock – rock in City of Townsville (entry 37289)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. "Mountain peaks and capes - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  8. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. "SHIPWRECKS - View". www.environment.gov.au. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  10. "MAGNETIC ISLAND TOWNSVILLE, QLD DURING WWII". Australia@War. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  11. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Florence Bay (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. "Forts Walk | Magnetic Island National Park". Parks and forests. Queensland Government. 27 July 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  13. "Tourist points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
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